BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Major museums in the city of Boston have decided to close amid concerns over the spreading coronavirus.
Four museums in Boston announced the decision in a joint statement. They include the Harvard Art Museums, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
“The CDC has clearly communicated that one of the most effective measures for controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is social distancing. Based on that recommendation, we feel it is our ethical responsibility to put the common good ahead of any one individual or institution,” the museums said in a statement. “We know we are stronger together. We look forward to reopening when it is safe for the public, staff and volunteers.”
The MFA said on Thursday they would remain closed for the next 30 days.
Inside the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Museum of Science closed on Thursday, and said in a statement they are “cancelling or postponing all public programming and events for 3 weeks.”
The museum also said that the New England Aquarium and the Boston Children’s Museum are temporarily closed as they monitor the “evolving pandemic here in Boston.”
The Boston Children’s museum said that while they are closed to the public, the building and museum operations are not being fully shut down.
“With the short-term closure, staff will be working on future program development, project work, and ways to stay deeply connected to our communities and help them through this crisis,” the museum said in a statement. “These steps will ensure that families can return to the Museum knowing that our priority is that everyone has a playful, joyful, and healthy hands-on, interactive experience at Boston Children’s Museum.”
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